Scavenger for coin controlled mechanism



Feb. 20, 1934. w 3 H s 1,947,767

SCAVENGER FOR COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM Filed Oct. 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Shem, 1

E251 Hg. 55

INVENTOR. WILLIHM L. Gil-CHRIST ATTORNEY.

Feb. 20, 1934. w. L. GILCHRIST 1,947,757

SCAVENGER FOR COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM I Filed Oct. 29, 1952 2 sheets-Sheet 2 F i g1. E

7! I l I 0 4 62 y B as I r g 390' Q 43 60 v 43 4p 0 60 a as s 8| an 41 i 4! i 44' 4 44 g g 26 a v 3 5o 5 so s g 4 49 INVENTOR.

i WILL/HM L..G/LcHR/sr i i R I AT'roRw Patented Feb. 20,

SCAVENGEB, FOR COIN CONTROILED BYIECHANISM William Lloyd Gilchrist, Los Angeles, Calif., as-

signor to lRowe Vending Machine Corp., Ltd., Los Angelcs, Califl, a corporation of Nevada Application October 29, 1932. Serial No. 640,195

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in scavenger devices for coin mechanisms.

The general object of the invention is to provide a scavenger device for coin mechanisms through which only the tokens similar to those intended for use in the coin mechanism will pass, all other articles leaving the scavenger device at predetermined points.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scavenger device including novel means to free a bent or oversized article which has been forcibly inserted into the device.

Other objects and the advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a transverse section through a coin released vending machine showing my improved scavenger device operatively installed thereon.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the device shown in Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of my scavenger device. 5

Fig. 4 is a front view of the device shown in i 3. Y

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the device shown in Fi 3. v

Fig. .6 is a top plan-view of the device shown in Fig. 3.

plates removed.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken on line 88 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section taken on line 99 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the release plates actuated to a freeing position.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing a modified form of release plates and Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing the release plates actuated to a freeing position.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, I have indicated my improved scavenger device generally. at 10. In the accompanying drawings I have shownthe scavenger device 10 as operatively installed in a vending machine 12 which includes a coin selecting mechanism 13 plunger 15 which is free to move in one direction,

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the coverand a coin actuated release mechanism 14. The

which is shown as outward, at all times but is normally prevented from moving in the opposite direction by a dog member 16 which is adapted to be moved out of engagement with the plunger 15 by the passage through the device 14 of the 0 correct coin or coins or token or tokens. When the dog 16 is moved out of engagement with the plunger 15 the plunger is adapted'to be moved rearwardly to actuate any type of other mechanism (not shown). The device 14 includes a 6 coin receiving hopper '17 into which the coins pass after passing through and operating the release mechanism. As shown the hopper 17 is pivotallymounted as at 18 and thelower end of thehopper is adapted to be swung forwardly by v.il) a member 19 mounted on the plunger 15 and rearwardly by a. member 20 also mounted on the plunger 15. When the hopper 17 is in a normal position coins contained therein rest on a shelf 21 but when the lower end of the hopper is swung 76 forwardly the coins therein are directed into a coin return chute 22 which in turn directs the coins out of the machine into a coin return receptacle 23. When the lower end of the hopper 17 is swung rearwardly the coins contained there- 4.

in are directed to a coin chute 24 which preferably directs the coins to a suitable coin container (not shown).

Before the coins enter the coin actuated release mechanism 14 they pass through the coin selecting device 13 which includes means to separate spurious coins or tokens from good coins, the good coins entering the device 14 and the spurious coins being directed out of the device 13 into a chute 25 which in turn directs them into a chute 26 which may direct them to a suitable receiver (not shown).

The scavenger device 10 is mounted in position v on a vending machine between the coin selecting mechanism 13 and the coin entrance member 27 so that any article inserted into the entrance member 27 must first pass through the scavenger device.

As shown the scavenger device 10 comprises a bodyportion 28 having opposed faces 29 and 30.

The body 28 includes a rearwardly' and downwardlyextending portion 31, the lower end of which meets a forwardly and downwardly extending portion 32. (See Fig. 7) The lower end of the portion 32 meets a vertical portion 33, the lower end of which meets a downwardly and rearwardly extending portion 34.

On each of the faces 29 and 30 of the portion'31 I provide an outstanding lower rib 35 which includes a flat face 36 and an inwardly beveled ribs 38 and 39 may be positioned at diflerent distances from their associated ribs 3'7 to form different sized entrance chutes to accommodate different sized coins such as when .the coin released mechanism 14 is adapted to be actuated by the combination of a nickel and a dime or any other pair of dissimilar coins or tokens.

Spaced at the rear and below the entrance chute 49, I provide an outstanding anvil member 41 on each of the faces 29 and 30. Extending from above the entrancechute downwardly tovard the anvil 41 at a more arcuate angle than that of the entrance chute I provide an outstanding rib 42 on each of the faces 29 and 30. Along the upper edge of the portion 32 I provide an outstanding rib 43 on each of the faces 29 and 30 and along the forward edge of the portions 33 and 34 I provide 'slmilar ribs 44 and respectively. Spaced forwardly and below the anvil member 41 and to the rear of the ribs 44 and 45 I provide an outstanding lug which forms a dividing member 46 on each of the faces 29 and 30. The space between the anvil 41 and the dividing member 46 forms a refuse outlet-indicated at 4'7 and the space between the rib 45 and tltiesdividing member 46 forms an outlet indicated a Positioned on the portions 32, 33 and 34 of the body I provide cover plates 49 which engage the ribs 43, 44 and 45 and the dividing member 46 and are shown as secured to the body by screws 50. The rear end of the covers 49 extend upward in a vertical plane from the rear side of the dividing members 46 thus leaving the' refuse outlet 4'7 uncovered.

The covers 49 preferably extend below the outlet 48 where apertures 51 are provided therein for connecting the scavenger device 10 to the con selecting mechanism 13 by bolts or screws 52 (see Fig. 1). Extending upwardly from the body portion 31 I provide apair of spaced pivot lugs 53 which include apertures 54 extending therethrough from one face of the device to the other.

. Positioned at the rear of the rear lug 53 I provide an upstanding bearing lug 55 having an aperture 56 therethrough from one face of the device to the other (see Fig. 9). Apertured lugs 5'7 may be'provided for securing the device '10 in members 61 anoutwardly projecting pin 62. The

release plates extend from the forward end of the portion 31 to adjacent theforward faces of the anvils 41 and from the pivot lugs 53 down ward to below the lower edge of the portion 31.

For resiliently retaining the release plates 60 in'engagement with their associated ribs 3'7 and 38 or 3'7 and 39 I provide a U-shaped spring member 63 which straddles the body adjacent the forward pivot lug. The ends of the spring member 63 are shown as positioned in apertured lugs 64 provided on the outer faces of each of the release plates60(seeFigs.8and8).-

adapted to engage the pins 62. Adjacent the wearer For actuating the release plates 60 I provide an operating member 65 which includes a pair of spaced arms 66 connected by a saddle portion 67.

The saddle portion 6'7 straddles the pivot lug 54 of the body and the arms 66 are positioned one adiacent the outer face of each of the release plates 60 (see Fig. 6) The ends of the arms are flared outwardly as indicated at 68 and are positioned under the pins 62 of the release plates 60 and are saddle portione6'7 the operating member 65 is suitably pivoted to the body 28 such as by a pivot stud 69 which-is positioned in the aperture 56 of the pivot lug 55 (see Fig.9). On one side the operating member 65 includes an arm '70 which extends rearwardly from the pivot member 69 and has thereon adjacent the end thereof an outwardly projecting pin '71 (see Figs. 3 and 6). When the operating member 65 is actuated to move the ends 68 thereof upward the arms 66 engage the pins 62 of the release plates 60 and move them upward. As the pins 62 are moved upward the release plates 60 pivot on their members 61 and the lower edge of the release plates swing outward out of engagement with the associated ribs 37 on the bodywith which they are associated as clearly shown in Fig. 11.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the operating member 65 is adapted to be actuated through the 3 medium of a. rod '72 by a bell crank member '73 which in turn is actuated by a member 74 on the plunger 15. The bell crank member '73 is shown as pivotally-mounted on the coin release mechanism 14 as at.'75 and is adapted to'be operated by the member '74 to move the rod 73 downward when the plunger 15 is moved forwardly in a coin return direction.

When the proper coins or spurious coins of similar ,nature are inserted in the vending machine through the coin entrance member 2'7 they enter the scavenger device 10 one-passing into the entrance chute 40 on one side and the other passing into the entrance chute 40v on the opposite side. 'The entrance chute 40 directs each of the coins rearwardly towards the anvil 41120.

out of the device through the outlet 48 and thence into the coin selecting device 13. The ribs 42 prevent articles from leavingthe device 10 when they leave the entrance chutes 40 and the rlbs.43, 44 and 45' guide articles to the outlet 48 after they bounce from the anvils 41.

Paper, carboard and articles of a similar soft nature upon striking the anvils do not bounce therefrom far enough to pass the dividing member 46 and therefore fall out of the device 10 through the scavenger outlet 4'7. Wooden articles such as sticks, matches, etc., when inserted into-the device 10 pass through the entrance chutes 40 and fall from the lower end thereof downward and out the'refuse outlet 4'7.

When a bent article such as indicated at '76 in Figs.- 10 and 11 is forcibly inserted into one of the coin chutes 40 of the device 10 and becomes lodged therein as shown in Fig. 10 an operator may-release the lodged article by moving the plunger rod 15 forwardly. As the plunger rod 15 moves forwardly the member '74 thereon rocks the bell crank '73 which through the medium of the rod '72 rocks the operating member 65 so that the ends 68 thereof move upwardly.

As previously described when the ends 68 of the operating member 65 move upwardly they engage.

the pins 62 of the release plates 60, moving the pins upwardly which causes the lower endsof the release plates to move outwardly out of engagement with their associated ribs 35. When the release plates swing outward the lodged token 76 is freed and falls downward.

- The beveled portion 37 on the ribs 35 is pro.- vided to make certain that the lodged token 76 will not balance on the rib and remain in the coin chute but will fall out of the scavenger device. The beveled portion 37 further assures that all articles such .as paper, matches, toothpicks, etc., which do not pass out of the entrance chutes 40 will be directed against the release plates so-that when the release plates 60 are. swung outward the articles lodged therein will fall out of the scavenger device.

A refuse chute such as indicated at 77 is preferably positioned adjacent the scavenger device 10 to receive the refuse from the scavenger device.

For operatingthe release plates 60 each time the vending machine is operated to maintain the entrance chutes 40 of the scavenger device free from obstructions I provide a bell crank 78. The bell crank 78 is shown as pivotally mounted on the device 14 as at 79 in an opposed position to the bell crank 73. The bell crank 78 preferably includes a yoke portion 80 which straddles the rod 72 and is adapted when moved in one direction to engage an enlarged knob 81 provided on the rod 72 below the yoke, and move the rod 72 downward. When the plunger 15 is moved rearwardly to actuate the vendingmachine the member 74 thereon engages the bell crank 78 and actuates the bell crank 78 to move the rod 72 downward whereupon the operating member is actuated to swing the release plates 60 outward as previously described.

In Figs. 12 and 13 I have indicated a slight modification generally at wherein parts corresponding to like parts'of the device 10 are in-. dicated by similarly primed reference numerals. The device 80 is exactly like the device 10 except that the ribs 35 are omitted from the body portion and provided on the release plates. As shown the release plates 60' of I the device 80 include integral ribs 81 which take the place of the ribs 35 of the device 10 and include a plane face 82 and a beveled upper face 83. In the device 80 the upper outer surface of the ribs 44' are also preferably beveled as indicated at 84 to direct articles falling from the entrance chutes upon actuation of the release plates away from the scavenger device.

Although I have shown and described the release plates as being caused to operate when a plunger device is moved to actuate other parts of a vending machine it will be understood that the release plates may be actuated by an independent plunger or in any other suitable manner;

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel scavenger device for use in coin or token actuated devices which is simple in construction and highly emcient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a' scavenger device, a body portion having two opposed plane faces, said body including first a rearwardly and downwardly extending portion, a second forwardly and downwardly extending portion, then a third verticalportion the lower end of which meets a fourth rearwardly and downwardly extending portion, upper and lower spaced ribs on each face of said first body portion, said ribs being inclined rearwardly and downwardly and forming an entrance chute on each face of said body, the upper surface of said lower ribs being bevelled downward and outward, an anvil member on each face .of said body below said entrance chute, a second rib on each face of said body extending from above said entrance chutes rearward and downward to adjacent the tops of said anvils, a third rib adjacent the upper edge of said second body por-" tion on each face of said body, a fourth rib adjacent the forward edge of said second and third body portions on each face of said body, a dividing member on each face of said body spaced forward and below said anvils and at the rear of said fourth ribs, the space between said anvils and said dividing members forming refuse outlets and the space between said dividing members and said fourth ribs forming exit chutes, cover plates mounted onsaid body portions, said cover plates extending from the front of said body, a release plate movably mounted adjacent each face of said body, said release plates engaging said ribs of said entrance chute, means to retain said release plates in engagement with said ribs of their associated entrance chute and means to move said release plates out of engagement with the ribs of their associated entrance chutes.

2. In a scavenger device, a body portion having two opposed plane faces, said body including a first rearwardly and downwardly extending portion, a second forwardly and downwardly extendingportion then a third vertical portion the lower end of which meets a fourth rearwardly and downwardly extending portion, upper and lower spaced ribs on each face of said first body portion, said ribs being inclined rearwardly and downwardly and forming an entrance chute on lower ribs being bevelled downward and outward, an anvil member on each face of said body spaced below said entrance chute, a second rib on each face of said body extending from above said entrance chutes rearward and downward to adjacent the tops of said anvils, a third rib adjacent the upper edge of said second body portion on each face of said body, a fourth rib adjacent the forward edge of said third body portions on each face of said body, a dividing member on each face of said body spaced forward and below said anvils and at the rear of fourth ribs, the space between said anvils and said dividing members forming refuse outlets and the space between said dividing members and said fourth ribs forming exit chutes, cover plates mounted on said body portion, said cover plates extending from the front of said body, a release plate movably mounted adjacent each face of said bbdy. said release plates engaging said ribs of said entrance chute, means to resiliently retain said release plates in engagement with said ribs 7 of their associated entrance chute, each of said release plates having outwardly projecting pins H tion, a second forwardly and downwardly extending portion then a third vertical portion the 1 lower end of which meets a fourth re ardly and downwardly extending portion, upper and lower spaced ribs on each face of said first body portion, said ribs being inclined rearwardly and downwardly and forming an entrance chute on each face of said body, the upper surface of said lower ribs being bevelled downward and outward, an anvil member on each face of said body spaced below said entrance chute, a second rib on each face of said body extending fromabove said entrance chutes rearward and downward to adjacent the tops of said anvils, a third rib adjacent the upper edge of said second body portion 'on each face of said body, a fourth rib adjacent the forward edge of said third body portion on each face of said body, a dividing member on each face of said body'spaced forward and below said anvils and at the rear of said fourth ribs, the space between said anvils and said dividing members forming refuse outlets and the space between said dividing members and said fourth.

engagement with said ribs of their associated entrance chute, each of said release plates having outwardly projecting pins thereon adjacent their upper edges, an operating member pivotally mounted on said body, said operating member including a pair of spaced arms to move said release plates out of engagement with'the ribs of their associated entrance chutes.

4. In combination with a vending machine including a coin entrance and a coin actuated mechanism and a plunger member, a scavenger device positioned between said coin entrance and said coin selecting mechanism, said plunger being movable in two directions and being normally restricted from movement in one direction by locking means of said coin actuated mechanism,

said coin actuated mechanism including 'means operable when said plunger is moved in a nonrestricted direction to return coins to the outside of said vending machine after said coins have actuated said coin actuated mechanism and before said plunger has been moved in said restricted direction, said scavenger device including a body portion having two opposed plane faces, said body including a first rearwardly and downwardly extending portion, a second for- -wardly extending portion, then a third vertical portion the lower end of which meets a fourth rearwardly and downwardly extending portion, upper and lower spaced ribs on each face of said first body portion, said ribs being inclined rearwardly and downwardly and forming an entrance chute on each face of said body, the upper surface of said' lower ribs being bevelled, an anvil member on each face of said body spaced below said entrance chute, a second rib on each face of said body extending from above said entrance chute rearward and downward to acflacent the top of said anvils, a third rib adjacent the upper edge of said second body portion on each face of said body, a fourth rib adjacent the forward edge of said third body portion on each face of said body, a dividing member on each face of said body spaced forward and below said anvils and release plates in engagement with said ribs of to the rear ofsaid fourth ribs, the space between said anvils and said dividing members forming refuse outlets and the space between said dividing members and saidfourth ribs forming exit chutes, cover plates mounted on said body portion, said cover plates extending from the front of said body rearward, apair of bearing members on said body above said entrance chute, a release plate adjacent each face of said body, said release plates engaging said ribs of said entrance chute and extending from the front of said body rearward, said release plates having inwardly projecting conicalbosses thereon engaging said body bearing members, means to resiliently retain said their associated entrance chute, each of said release plates having outwardly projecting pins thereon adjacent their upper edges, an operating member pivotally mounted on said body, said operating member including a pair of spaced arms adapted to move said release plate pins outward,

chute on each face of said body, a refuse outlet below said entrance chute, a-dividing member on each face of said body in advance of said refuse outlets, there being an exit chute in advance of said dividing members, cover plates mounted on said body portions, said cover plates extending from the front of said body, a release plate movably mounted adjacent each face'of said body, said release plates engaging said ribs of said entrance chute, means to retain said release plates in engagement with said ribs of their associated 12o entrance chute and a single means to simultaneously move said release plates out of engagement with the ribs of their associated entrance chutes.

6. Ina scavenger device, a body, portion having two opposed plane faces, said body including a downwardly extending portion, upperand lower spaced ribs on each face of said first body portion, said ribs being inclined forming an entrance chute on each face of said body, an anvil member on each face of said body below said entrance I chute, a dividing member on each face of saidv body spaced forward and below said anvils, the space between said anvils and said dividing members forming refuse outlets, there being exit chutes in advance of said dividing members, cover plates 185 mounted on said body portions, said cover plates extending from the front of. said body, a release plate movably mounted adjacent each face of said body, said release plate movably mounted adjacent each face of said body, said release plates engag- 14' ing said ribs of said entrance chute, means to retain said release plates in engagement with said ribs of their associated entrance chute and a single means to simultaneously move said release plates out of. engagement with the ribs of their associated entrance chutes.

7. In a scavenger device, a body portion having two opposed plane faces, said body including first a rearwardly and downwardly extending portion,

a second forwardly and downwardly extending downwardly extending portion, upper and lower spaced ribs on each face of said first body portion, said ribs being inclined rearwardly and lid downwardly and forming an entrance chute on each face of said body, the upper surface of said lower ribs being bevelled downward and outward, a second rib on each face of said body extending from above said entrance chutes rearward and downward to adjacent the tops of said anvils, a third rib adjacent the upper edge of said second body portion on each face of said body, a fourth rib adjacent the forward edge of said second and third body portions on each face of said body, there being exit chutes and'the space between said anvils and said dividing members forming refuse outlets in advance of said fourth ribs and cover plates mounted on said body portions.

8. In a scavenger device, a body portion having two opposed plane faces, said body including first a rearwardly and downwardly extending portion, a second forwardly and downwardly extending portion then a third vertical portion the lower end of which meets a fourth rearwardly and downwardly extending portion, upper and lower spaced ribs on each face of said first body portion, said ribs being inclined rearwardly and downwardly and forming an entrance chute on each face of said body, an anvil member on each face of said body below said entrance chute, a second rib on each face of said body extending from above said entrance chutes rearward and downward to adjacent the tops of said anvils, a third rib adjacent the upper edge of said second body portion on each face of said body, a fourth rib adjacent the forward edge of said second and third body portions on each face of said body, a dividing member on each face of said body spaced forward and below said anvils and at the rear of said fourth ribs, the space between said anvils and said dividing members forming refuse outlets and the space between said dividing members and said fourth ribs forming exit chutes and cover plates mounted on said body portions.

9. In a scavenger device, a body portion having a plane face, said body including a first rearwardly and downwardly extending portion, a second forwardly and downwardly extending portion then a third vertical portion the lower end of which meets a fourth rearwardly and down wardly extending portion, upper and lower spaced ribs on the face of said first body portion, said ribs being inclined rearwardly and downwardly and forming an entrance chute on said face, the upper surface of said lower rib being bevelled downward and outward, a second rib on the face of said body and extending from above said entrance chute rearward and downward, a third rib adjacent the upper edge of said second body portion, a fourth rib adjacent the forward edge of said second and third body portions on the face of said body, a dividing member on the face of said body at the rear of said fourth rib, the space at one side of said dividing member forming a refuse outlet and the space at the other side of said dividing member forming an exit chute, a cover plate mounted on said body portion, said cover plate extending from the front of said body, a release plate movably mounted adjacent the face of said body, said release plate engaging said ribs of said entrance chute, means to'retain said release plate in engagement with said ribs of its associated entrance chute and means to move said release plate out of engagement with the ribs of its associated entrance chute.

* WILLIAM LLOYD GILCHRIST. 

